The United Farm Workers is a Union made of mostly Chicano farmhands, which was created in 1966 as a result of two earlier groups. The first, the Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee, was led by Filipino Larry Itliong; the second, the National Farm Workers Association, led by Cesar Chavez.
Merger
The two groups began to come together in the year 1965, when the AWOC began a grape strike in the town of Delano, California. Soon afterwords, the NFWA, which began as a fairly modest organization, joined the strike as a move of solidarity. Very quickly, the strike gained nationwide attention, and attracted the support of many other unions, including the United Auto Workers. In addition, the strike gained the support of Senator Robert F. Kennedy, who forcefully told the sheriffs who were arresting the peaceful picketers to go "Read the Constitution," which clearly provides for peaceful protest. In 1966, the groups voted to merge and form the UFW, and joined the nationwide AFL-CIO. The group is led by Cesar Chavez. The strike lasts about 5 years, and by the end, most of the California table grape growers have signed contracts with the UFL.
The iconic UFW Flag
Power of the Strike
Over the next few year, the UFW becomes an extremely powerful force in the protection of farmworkers. Cesar Chavez leads his group, as well as many non-union Americans, to peaceful protests of many things, including grapes and lettuce. Over the next decade, Chavez successfully acquires protection for many different groups of farm workers throughout the nation. Quickly, the UFW begins winning elections across the nation, many times against the so-called "unbeatable" Teamsters Union. To this day, the UFW fights in order to protect the farm workers of the United States, providing for their safety, fair pay, and nationwide labor laws.
Caesar Chavez, leader of the UFW
Chavez's Legacy
Caesar Chavez died on April 23, 1993 in the midst of a lawsuit brought upon the UFW by the large vegetable grower Bruce Church, Inc. He left behind a legacy of peaceful protest, including multiple marches, some of which were up to 1,000 miles in length, and fasts up to 25 days in length. Throughout his life, he had the support of Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, Corretta Scott King, and thousands of Union members nationwide. Caesar Chavez is considered by many to be one of the greatest civil rights leaders of all time.
United Farm Workers
The United Farm Workers is a Union made of mostly Chicano farmhands, which was created in 1966 as a result of two earlier groups. The first, the Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee, was led by Filipino Larry Itliong; the second, the National Farm Workers Association, led by Cesar Chavez.
Merger
The two groups began to come together in the year 1965, when the AWOC began a grape strike in the town of Delano, California. Soon afterwords, the NFWA, which began as a fairly modest organization, joined the strike as a move of solidarity. Very quickly, the strike gained nationwide attention, and attracted the support of many other unions, including the United Auto Workers. In addition, the strike gained the support of Senator Robert F. Kennedy, who forcefully told the sheriffs who were arresting the peaceful picketers to go "Read the Constitution," which clearly provides for peaceful protest. In 1966, the groups voted to merge and form the UFW, and joined the nationwide AFL-CIO. The group is led by Cesar Chavez. The strike lasts about 5 years, and by the end, most of the California table grape growers have signed contracts with the UFL.Power of the Strike
Over the next few year, the UFW becomes an extremely powerful force in the protection of farmworkers. Cesar Chavez leads his group, as well as many non-union Americans, to peaceful protests of many things, including grapes and lettuce. Over the next decade, Chavez successfully acquires protection for many different groups of farm workers throughout the nation. Quickly, the UFW begins winning elections across the nation, many times against the so-called "unbeatable" Teamsters Union. To this day, the UFW fights in order to protect the farm workers of the United States, providing for their safety, fair pay, and nationwide labor laws.Chavez's Legacy
Caesar Chavez died on April 23, 1993 in the midst of a lawsuit brought upon the UFW by the large vegetable grower Bruce Church, Inc. He left behind a legacy of peaceful protest, including multiple marches, some of which were up to 1,000 miles in length, and fasts up to 25 days in length. Throughout his life, he had the support of Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, Corretta Scott King, and thousands of Union members nationwide. Caesar Chavez is considered by many to be one of the greatest civil rights leaders of all time.Click here for a short video on the UFW's impact.